Andy Murray: The Best British Player On The Tour
© Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Introduction
Andy Murray is a British professional tennis player. Murray reached the world number two position for singles making him the highest-ranked British player ever. Andy Murray’s best achievement in a Grand Slam Tournament was to be the runner-up to Roger Federer at the 2008 US Open and the 2009 Australian Open. Murray is known to be one of the best tacticians on the court.
Personal Life
Murray was born on 15 May 1987 to Willie and Judy Murray in Dunblane, Scotland. He now resides in London, UK.
He started playing tennis at the age of 3 first with sponge balls against the walls indoors and later outside on Swingball.
Murray also played a lot of foot ball (soccer) when he was growing up. But he preferred tennis as he liked the fact that it was him and the opponent on the court as opposed to a team in foot ball. This is the reason that he also loves Boxing.
Murray’s brother Jamie is a top 100 doubles player and was the number two junior player in the world.
His former girl friend is Kim Sears. The couple were together from 2006 towards the end of 2009.
Murray identifies himself as “Scottish, but also British”. He states that he is equally proud of both. He points out that he is quarter English with some of his family originating from Newcastle, his coach is Scottish, and his girl friend is English.
Murray has written an autobiography titled ‘Hitting Back’.
Murray and Kim Sears
Professional Life
Murray won the prestigious Orange Bowl Tournament in Miami, US, at the age of 12.
In 2004 he won the Junior US Open title.
Andy Murray turned Professional in 2005. He represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup Team making him the youngest player to do so. Murray played the top ranked British player World Number 28 Tim Henman for the first time in a professional match which Murray won.
He won his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) title in 2006 at the SAP Open in San Jose, California, defeating Lleyton Hewitt in the finals.
In 2008 Murray won his first Masters 1000 title, the Cincinnati Masters beating Novak Djokovic in the finals. Murray reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open losing to Roger Federer in the finals. At the Madrid Masters 1000 Tournament he beat Roger Federer in the Semifinals making his head to head record against Federer 3-2 in Murray’s favor. Murray is only one of two players to have a positive record against Federer (the other being Rafael Nadal). Murray won this Tournament beating Gilles Simon in the finals. He became the first Briton to win multiple Masters titles.
In 2009 Murray won his 3rd Masters Series title winning the Miami Masters beating Novak Djokovic in the final. On 11 May 2009 Murray rose in ranking to World Number 3. He became the first British player in Open Era to achieve this ranking. He won the Queen’s Club Championships which was his first tournament win on grass. Murray won the Montreal Masters Series tile beating Juan Martín del Potro in the finals. By coming to the finals in this tournament Murray became the World Number 2 player, his highest ranking ever.
So far in 2010 Murray has reached the finals of the Australian Open losing to Roger Federer in straight sets.
Murray works with a team of fitness experts. His main coach is Miles Maclagan. He was previously coached by Brad Gilbert.
© Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Playing Style
Murray has an offensive and defensive baseline style. He sometimes tends to play defensively, but can hit the ball with pace when he wants to. He is one of the best tacticians on the court.
Andy Murray has one of the best backhands in the world. He is able to hit down the line and cross court winners with ease and efficiency. He has a good forehand where he can put pace when necessary.
Andy Murray is known to be one of the fittest players on the tour.